Joseph W. Voelker, Jr., died unexpectedly on May 8, 2013 at his home in Fillmore, CA at age 73. He was born at Foster Memorial Hospital (Community) in Ventura CA on July 31, 1939.
Joe attended grade school at the Academy of St. Catherine, Ventura, and graduated from St. Francis High School, Watsonville in 1957. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Cal Poly Pomona, in 1961, with an emphasis on Entomology. Joe was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He worked for Coastal Chemical, Western Farm and AgRx in Fillmore until he retired in 2005.
Mr. Voelker was a fourth generation Ventura County farmer, grandson of Joe and Anna Borchard Friedrich. He was a member of the AgRx daily coffee group, Wednesday Morning Breakfast Group at Elkins Golf Course, the Fillmore Men's Club, and the Fillmore Future Farmers of America (FFA). He was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church, Saticoy, for more than 20 years.
Joe is survived by his wife Donna of Fillmore, children Lance (Beverly) Heckerman of Corona, Robert Heckerman of San Pablo, Serena (Joe) Trevino, of Charlotte, MI, Cela (Jim) Hamblin of Santa Paula, Joe III (Traci) of Oxnard, and Catherine/Katie Voelker (Mike) Makuch of Camarillo; twelve grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are three brothers, Steve (Connie) of Sacramento, David (Penny) of Valencia, and Chris (Sherry) of Templeton; and three sisters, Sister Joseph Cecile, CSC, of Ventura, Therese Voelker (Wendell) Young of Angelus Oaks, and Mary (Francois) Zugmeyer of Laguna Niguel.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Cecilia F. Voelker, his sisters Anna (Sister Francis James, CSC) and Barbara (Bobbie).
Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 14, from 5 to 8pm, with a rosary at 7pm in the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home 757 E. Main Street, Ventura. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Sacred Heart Church, 10800 Henderson Road, Saticoy, on Wednesday May 15 at 10am. Burial will follow at Santa Clara Cemetery, 2370 North H Street, Oxnard. Reception to follow at noon at the Elk's Lodge, 2126 Knoll Drive, Ventura. www.reardonfuneral.com